Robotics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.

Also called: Automation Engineer, Autonomous Vehicle Design Engineer, Design Engineer, Factory Automations Engineer, Research Engineer, Robotic Systems Engineer, Algorithm Engineer, Autonomy Engineer, Controls Engineer, Mechatronics Engineer, Robot Operator, Robotic Process Automation Analyst, Robotics Application Engineer, Robotics Controls Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Robotics Engineering Intern, Robotics Researcher, Robotics Specialist, Robotics Systems Engineer, Robotics Technician (Robotics Tech), RPA Engineer (Robotic Process Automation Engineer)

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.
Process or interpret signals or sensor data.
Debug robotics programs.
Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications.
Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.
Provide technical support for robotic systems.
Design end-of-arm tooling.
Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems.
Supervise technologists, technicians, or other engineers.
Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing.

Skills, machines and equipment

Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Systems Analysis
Writing
Mathematics
Active Learning
Operations Monitoring
Troubleshooting

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (50.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

90,970–158,090 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-2199.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Deepen PLC, controls, robot integration, and safe troubleshooting skills; explore senior technician, integration, or automation project responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (50.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Robotics Engineers